Chapter 120: A Redemption in Truth

As Xie Jinchuan was about to speak, Shen Qingli’s phone rang urgently. Seeing it was her assistant, a wave of unease washed over her. She immediately set down her sandwich, picked up the phone, and answered.

“Hello? What’s wrong?”

Her assistant’s voice came through anxiously. “Director Shen, it’s bad news. Some obsessive fans are causing trouble again. Gu Qingming is currently trapped outside the makeup room. Please come quickly and see for yourself!”

Shen Qingli frowned. It was only eight in the morning, and the concert wasn’t until noon. They had purposely sent Gu Qingming ahead early, but how had this news leaked? And now he was being blocked by obsessive fans right at the dressing room door?

“All right, I understand. I’m on my way. You manage the crowd and don’t let anyone get physical.”

If a fight broke out, no one would be clear on who was responsible.

“Got it, Director Shen.” The noise on the other end made it clear the situation was tense.

“Trouble at the concert?” Xie Jinchuan glanced at his busy little woman, shoved a sandwich into his mouth, grabbed his bag, and hurried out.

“Still those obsessive fans causing trouble. Eat well and head to the company meeting. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine!” He said before getting into his car and driving off.

Green Cilantro and Xie Jinchuan exchanged glances.

[Host, did you forget about me?] Green Cilantro’s virtual voice was full of mock sorrow as she looked at Xie Jinchuan, her meaning clear.

“I’ll take you along to establish a connection,” the man offered, squeezing the opportunity.

Green Cilantro immediately turned away.

[Forget it. I’ll walk on my own.] She then strode away swiftly, vanishing in an instant.

Xie Jinchuan was left alone at the door, silently sighing. Sometimes it wasn’t good that his little woman was so busy. He took a bite of his sandwich and tidied himself before heading to the company for the meeting, quietly pitying himself as a poor soul without a wife to care for him.

…

Backstage at the concert.

“Everyone out! No fans allowed here!”

“If you don’t leave now, I’ll call security to remove you!”

“I told you, this area is strictly off-limits! Do you want the police involved?”

Two assistants struggled to hold back the crowd. Pinglang stood firmly at the lounge entrance, blocking their way. Dong Yang, accompanied by bodyguards, kept a few steps away, but it was futile—the fans were far too frenzied.

Gu Qingming sat alone inside the lounge, listening to the commotion outside, memories of darker times creeping in, chilling his limbs.

“We’re all your brother’s fans! For him, I haven’t eaten in a month! I just bought this ticket—can’t you let us see him? Do you want me to starve here?”

“We’ve done so much for our brother!”

“If you don’t let me see my brother, I’ll die right in front of you!”

The obsessive fans shouted, while the assistants looked helpless.

Just as they were about to lose control, a group of police officers arrived.

“You’re the ones causing trouble, right? Everyone, show your IDs. We’ll check and then take statements. Your actions seriously disrupt public order!”

With the police’s arrival, the fans immediately became subdued.

Shen Qingli stepped out from the crowd, her face darkening.

“Are you the ones causing a scene online? Didn’t you think that was enough, so you came here to seek attention?”

Her words clearly provoked the fans. Just as they prepared to lash out at her, the police took them away.

The two assistants sighed in relief.

“We were about to call the police earlier, but they seized our phones. We couldn’t do much.”

Shen Qingli patted their shoulders. “Thank you for your hard work. I’ll go check on him.”

Pinglang hesitated. “Director Shen, before you enter, there’s something I need to tell you.”

Seeing his serious expression, Shen Qingli followed him aside. After hearing the full story, she nodded.

“Don’t worry. I’ll talk to him and make sure he recovers well enough to perform.”

Pinglang nodded gratefully and looked after Shen Qingli as she headed toward the lounge. He sighed quietly.

Perhaps now only Shen Qingli could help Gu Qingming step out of that dark place…

The lounge door opened, and an angry voice barked, “Get out!”

Shen Qingli paused, her eyes falling on a shattered vase on the floor, stained with what looked like fresh blood.

“Gu Qingming, it’s me. Are you hurt?”

At the familiar voice, pale and fearful, Gu Qingming turned from the corner where he had curled up, looking utterly helpless.

His eyes focused on her as she approached. Suddenly, he lunged forward and embraced her tightly.

“They, they…” His voice choked, his arms trembling as anxiety consumed him.

Shen Qingli knew all he had endured. Before he became famous, obsessive fans had stalked him. Sometimes, when he woke in the night, there would be someone lying beside him...

Such experiences had left a deep scar on someone so young.

His extreme sensitivity now was a reflection of those past shadows.

Feeling a pang of sympathy, Shen Qingli gently patted his back, comforting him as a sister would a younger brother.

“It’s all over now. I’ll protect you from now on.”

“Those things won’t happen again. Nothing like what the previous company did will come near you. Can you trust me?”

Hearing this, Gu Qingming slowly loosened his grip. He took a step back.

“I trust you. I have always trusted you.”

She already knew about what he had gone through yesterday. Naturally, he believed Shen Qingli wouldn’t treat him like the old company did.

After all, it was this little girl who had pulled him out of those dark days.

She had saved his life.

“Then let’s repay those fans who truly care with a perfect concert.”

They smiled at each other, unaware of the fleeting red glow shimmering in the corner.